It has been a while since I have written an article and the predominant subject on the face of the media and the internet is negativity. I’m aware that if you dig just below the surface there is so much positivity and hope in the world. When such fear and injustice is so widespread as it is now, we sometimes forget the things that we do enjoy. I want to take a little bit of time today to talk about some things that I love and enjoy. I hope that some of you will try out or check out some of the books, shows, movies and music I list and discuss below.
“Imagination is the only weapon in the war against reality.” - Lewis Carroll
I didn’t become a reader until I was nearly finished with High School and it began with a book that was loaned to me by a friend. That book was Narcissus In Chains by Laurell K. Hamilton. While that novel, and surrounding series, has a large amount of sexual content; the stories and characters are an absolute joy to read. The rest is history as they say. These are my current top five books/novels or book series.
The Joe Ledger Series by Jonathan Maberry
Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter Series by Laurell K. Hamilton
American Gods by Neil Gaimen
Zoo by James Patterson
Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series by Rick Riordan (as well as all shared universe serieses)
“One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.” - Bob Marley
Music is a universal language, we all love it and understand it. From classical to heavy metal, form hip-hop to country; music gives us the ability to be storytellers and express ourselves. Speaking from my own experiences, music has long served as a form of therapy for me as well. Lyrics and melodies can be a healing tool or a powerful rallying cry. This is my snapshot of five favorite songs at this moment in time.
One of Us - Fever 333 / Killing in the Name - Rage Against the Machine
Solway Firth - Slipknot
Midnight Train to Memphis - Chris Stapleton
Something from Nothing - Foo Fighters
Legend Has It - Run the Jewels / Don’t Stop Me - Queen
“The most honest form of filmmaking is to make a film for yourself.” - Peter Jackson
Anyone who knows me, knows that I have an extensive film collection in my home. I love all genres of films, the process of making said films and the work that goes on behind the scenes. These are my current five favorite movies. Believe me this list fluctuations a lot.
Avengers Endgame
Godzilla: King of Monsters
Jurassic World
Logan
It/It Chapter 2
“We’re all stories in the end. Just make it a good one, eh?” - Matt Smith, Doctor Who
Television has it’s fair shares of champions and nemeses since the creation of “The Idiot Box”. As far as programming on television, we have come leaps and bounds from where we were only a couple of decades ago. T.V. shows have become epic story vehicles of quality formally only seen in full scale movie productions. Shows such as some of those I’m going to list below have revolutionized how shows are made, watched and integrated with. These are my current top five shows.
Fringe
The Walking Dead
The Witcher
My Hero Academia
Star Trek Discovery
“In response!” - Blue mage, Magic the Gathering LGS
Now this is a Magic the Gathering based website as far as the articles and content is concerned. So we wouldn’t want to leave out some of my personal top five lists for different things in MTG.
First up, the colors of Magic.
Blue
Red
Black
Green
White
Second, my top five planeswalker cards of all time, based on power level.
Oko, Thief of Crowns
Jace, the Mind Sculptor
Teferi, Hero of Dominaria
Liliana of the Veil
Wrenn and Six
Last but not least, my top five sets of all time (since I started playing).
Innistrad
Return to Ravnica
Dominaria
Core Set 2011
Shadows Over Innistrad
There you have it. During these difficult and trying times, we have to make sure we remember and indulge in the things that make us happy. I would like to urge you, if you're so inclined, to check out some of the books, movies and music that I have listed in this article. Make sure and take care of yourselves, enjoy the moments of levity that you can as we look forward to returning to Magic in-person.
Good luck, I hope you lose!
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